Clamp for conveyor idler assembly



Sept. 17, 1963 W. E- HERRMANN CLAMP FOR CONVEYOR IDLER ASSEMBLY Filed July 6. 1960 INVENTOR. William E. Herrmann ATTO Y United States Patent 3,103,726 CLAMP FUR QGNVEYUR KDLER ASSEt IBLY Wiliiam E. Herrmann, Maywood, Ni, assignor to Hewlit-Robins Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed .l'uly 6, 1960, Ser. No. 41,114 3 Claims. (ill. 24--1l25) This invention related to means for attaching conveyor idlers to conveyor side frames. In particular, the invention pertains to a clamping means for quickly attaching idler assemblies to side frames of the rope or rigid, such as tubular frame member types. Many forms of clamps have been heretofore developed for attaching idlers to such conveyor side frames. For example: those of Newton et al., Patent 422,911,090, dated November 3, 1949; Lo Presti Patent #2,776,044, dated January l, 1957, and Kendall Patent #2,l79,l87, dated November 7, 1939. Therein are shown several types of clamping devices for attaching idlers to side frames. However, insofar as known to me, the prior known clamping devices, such as of the types shown in the above patents, comprise separable elements which are readily detached and lost or mislaid, or which must be provided with pins or chains or other means to retain the-m, and/ or clamping devices which are suitable for one particular size of side frame. Further, they are apt to comprise elements which can be loosened through movement of the idlers under load. Also, in many instances the prior known clamps cannot be adjusted to varying sizes of side frame elements, nor can they apply a uniform clamping action. Further, in many instances the clamping devices comprise wedge-like members which may damage the side frames since they must cut into or bite into the frame in order to elfect an adequate connection. Some even utilize special forgings not readily available on the open market, should replacement be necessary. Where small members, such as these special forgings, are pinned to prevent full withdrawal and loss, or are pinned to chains, it is difficult to replace them if broken, and they often must be held in withdrawn position while connecting the idler to the side frames. Initial manufacturing and assembly costs, as well as maintenance changes, are often increased by such means.

Accordingly, one object of the instant invention is to provide clamping means which will insure a more secure attachment to side frames and yet which will comprise a simpler, easier to use, yet less costly construction than those of the prior known clamping means of similar use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a clamping device which will provide a 360 wrapping clamplike action on the side frame, and thus insure a maximum gripping with less chance of damage to the side frames.

A further object is to provide a connecting device or clamp with which the grip will remain constant and there will be no relative displacement or sliding between the idler and the side frame.

It is also an object to provide a clamp device which is adjustable in at least two laterally related directions and which, further, will provide equal gripping action on side frames of various sizes. Still another object is to provide a clamp which is adjustable by means of the ordinary -type of wrenches usually readily available at the conveyor site. Yet a further object is to provide an idler clamp which will not damage side frames, particularly those of the rope or tubular type.

As indicated above, one big disadvantage of many prior known clamp devices resides in that they comprise elements which must be separated or are normally separated when clamping or unclamping the idlers to the frames or during storage. Usually the separable elements are quite small and readily mislaid or dropped, unless attached to the idlers, and must be individually retrieved and placed in position during assembly of a conveyor. Where attached, they may often have to be held during connection of the idlers to the side frames. Accordingly, one additional object of the instant structure is to provide connecting means of the clamp type which will remain attached to the idler when it is disconnected from the side frames and during connecting and disconnecting operations, yet which will not interfere with these operations. This will greatly facilitate handling, storage and mounting of the idlers. It is never necessary to remove easily lost parts from the idler.

As also indicated above, where idlers are supplied with separable members, the latter are sometimes riveted or pinned or connected by chains to the idler to minimize this problem. In these instances, however, special machining or forming and pinning operations are necessary and repair or replacement is difficult. In contrast, one further advantage of my invention is that simple, readily available commercial grade parts are usable to provide a more satisfactory clamp, yet the problems due to disconnection and loss are overcome without pins or chain connections or extra machining. Further, repair or replacement can be effected by any conveyor user or supplier, cheaply and quickly.

According to the invention, connection and disconnection of idlers to frames are simply accomplished: In fact, the idler can simply be swung into and out of connection with the side frame. This is due to the fact that the clamp includes a portion which is swung into effective connection with the side frame and into operative connection with the idler or swung out of effective association with the side frame without disconnection of parts and will not interfere with the operators movements in removing or attaching the idlers.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an idler embodying a clamp means construction in accordance with the invention and conveyor framing associated therewith.

FIGURE 12. is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the idler on an enlarged scale and showing the clamp.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective View.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the clamp with the elements shown in a different relation than shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, but showing the clamp means in a different position.

Referring now in particular to the drawings: In FIG- U-RE I1, there is illustrated an idler 1!? attached to the side frames 12 and 14 of a conveyor 16. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a number of such idlers will be employed in the conveyor and that the idlers support a belt 18. The idler illustrated comprises a pair of end brackets 20. Each of these brackets are connected to idler side frame members 22 and 24 by any suitable means such as nuts and bolts 26. Each end bracket has a base 28. A flange 38 extends downwardly substantially laterally from one end of the base 28, and the flange and base form a bight 32. The bight is adapted to receive a cylindrical side frame member 14. The side frame member illustrated in the drawing is of the rope type but it will be understood that other forms of side frames can be used.

Base 28 is provided with a slot-like opening 36 substantially longitudinally central of its length. Slot 36 extends substantially laterally of the bight 32 and lies within a vertical plane extending transversely of the bight. A similar slot-like opening 38 is provided in flange 3G. The latter opening lies in the same vertical plane as opening 36. Opening 38, however, extends through the lower edge of flange 30, whereas opening 36 is wholly within base 28.

An L shaped clamp bolt 40 is adapted to be associated with the two slots 36 and 3 8. The clamp bolt has a pair of legs 42 and 44 which extend at right angles with respect to each other. Each of the latter has threaded ends. Hex head clamping nuts 46 and 43 are adapted to cooperate with the threaded ends of the legs 42 and 44. It is apparent that by adjusting the nuts the clamp bolt can be drawn upwardly or dropped down with respect to the bight 32. It should be further noted that the bolt 40 provides a bight 50 which faces the bight 32.

When the two nuts are loosened sufliciently, leg 44 can be swung downwardly to the extent necessary for its connected nut and associated washer to clear the lower edge 52 of flange 30. FIGURE 6 shows the bolt with its abutment means adjusted outwardly of its legs sufficiently to adapt the clamp bolt to the swinging movement. When the nuts are adjusted along their respective legs sufliciently the abutment members 46 and 48 will be loosened so that the bolt leg 42 can be tilted in the slot 36 sufliciently to swing the abutment means 48 and the washer indicated to be in association therewith downwardly beneath the edge 52 of the flange 30. The clamp bolt can then be rotated 180 to point leg 44 inwardly away from flange 30. When the clamp bolt is in this position the idler can be readily lifted into engagement with, or slid off from, side frame member 14. It is apparent that the clamping structure need not be detached from the idler for removal or adjustment of the idler with respect to the frames and also that the elements can remain attached during storage or when the idler is being repaired. A further advantage of this construction is that the bolt leg 42 forms a slot with flange 30 which facilitates assembly of the idler onto the frames. Another advantage is realized in that the workman need only swing the idler into connection with the side frame and then swing the L clamp into position and adjust the nuts in order to effect a proper connection. He does not have to take elements out of his pockets or pick them oif the ground or hold them with one hand while he is adjusting the idler in respect to the side frame.

The clamp bol-t applies pressure more equally to the side frame than does a device which operates through Wedges or compression clamps. The curvilinear bight of the bolt applies uniform pressure at at least two points on the side frame and forces the bight of the opposed flanges into direct opposite contact. This also forces clamping action along a larger surface area than other known forms of clamps. It should be particularly noticed that there is no sharp cutting or wedging action, with attendant likelihood of damage due to friction and cutting, and there is considerably less likelihood of abrasion to an individual strand of a cable side frame.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes can be made, and, accordingly, I claim exclusive right to all modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims:

1. In an idler, an end bracket, said bracket having a first flange and a second flange, said flanges being joined and forming a bight, means forming a first slot within said first flange extending transversely outwardly of said bight, means forming a second slot in said second flange, said second slot being in spaced relation to the first slot and extending transversely of said bight, said second slot lying substantially in a plane containing said first slot, said second slot extending through an edge of said second flange which is spaced from said bight, a clamp bolt having a first leg and a second leg, each leg being received in one of said slots, said legs forming a bight facing the first mentioned bight, adjustable means on both legs of said bolt for urging both said legs inwardly with respect to said bight between said flanges so as to adjust said bights normal to each other to clamp an idler support means therebetween, said legs of said bolt, and said first slot, being of such relative lengths that said adjustable means can be respectively adjusted along said legs to relative locations such that the one of said legs of said bolt received in said second slot can be moved outwardly of said second slot beyond said edge upon tilting movement of said bolt about an axis transverse the axes of the legs of said bolt, and the bolt can thereupon be rotated about the axis of the other of said legs of said bolt through an angle of about while said one of said legs is retained in said first slot and each said adjustable means remains in contact with one of said legs.

2. In the end bracket of claim 1: said adjustable means on said legs comprising relatively adjustable nuts.

3. In the end bracket of claim 1: said adjustable means for adjusting said bights normal to each other comprising abutment means on said legs, the latter means being adjustable relative each other a sufficient distance to loosen said clamp bolt in an amount required for movement of the abutment means on said one of said legs and the latter leg beneath the said outer edge of said second flange by said tilting movement of said bolt within said first slot, said bolt being pivotal within said first slot, when said abutment means on said one of said legs has been positioned beneath said outer edge of said second flange, to a position in which said bolt forms an openended passage with said second flange, which passage leads from the bight of said bracket outwardly thereof, for facilitating movements of an idler support means into and out of engagement with the latter bight.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 530,303 Esmarch Dec. 4, 1884 1,393,842 Slater Oct. 18, 1921 1,903,024 Brock Mar. 28, 1933 2,875,386 L0 Presti et a1. May 3, 1959 2,895,594 Smith July 21, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 544,132 Belgium Ian. 31, 1956 1,117,892 France Mar. 5, 1956 

1. IN AN IDLER, AN END BRACKET, SAID BRACKET HAVING A FIRST FLANGE AND A SECOND FLANGE, SAID FLANGES BEING JOINED AND FORMING A BIGHT, MEANS FORMING A FIRST SLOT WITHIN SAID FIRST FLANGE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OUTWARDLY OF SAID BIGHT, MEANS FORMING A SECOND SLOT IN SAID SECOND FLANGE, SAID SECOND SLOT BEING IN SPACED RELATION TO THE FIRST SLOT AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID BIGHT, SAID SECOND SLOT LYING SUBSTANTIALLY IN A PLANE CONTAINING SAID FIRST SLOT, SAID SECOND SLOT EXTENDING THROUGH AN EDGE OF SAID SECOND FLANGE WHICH IS SPACED FROM SAID BIGHT, A CLAMP BOLT HAVING A FIRST LEG AND A SECOND LEG, EACH LEG BEING RECEIVED IN ONE OF SAID SLOTS, SAID LEGS FORMING A BIGHT FACING THE FIRST MENTIONED BIGHT, ADJUSTABLE MEANS ON BOTH LEGS OF SAID BOLT FOR URGING BOTH SAID LEGS INWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID BIGHT BETWEEN SAID FLANGES SO AS TO ADJUST SAID 